SportWest has unveiled a new long-term initiative aimed at helping sporting organisations across Western Australia build culturally safe, inclusive and respectful environments for First Nations people.
The peak body for sport in Western Australia has launched the True Sport Cultural Education Initiative, a sector-wide program designed to support clubs, State Sporting Associations and other organisations to strengthen cultural understanding and improve inclusion across the state.
The initiative is intended to give the WA sports sector a more coordinated and consistent way to prevent and respond to racial and cultural vilification, while also building capability and leadership at all levels of sport.
Backed by the WA State Government through the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, the program will deliver WA-specific cultural education resources through the True Sport platform to help organisations embed culturally informed practices in governance, leadership and day-to-day operations.
The resources were developed in consultation with First Nations people and organisations and tailored to the WA sporting context, with contributions from Sharon Wood-Kenney, Phil Narkle and Jade Narkle.
SportWest says the initiative reflects its role in setting expectations for respectful and inclusive sport while helping organisations build stronger accountability across the sector.
A dedicated Cultural Navigation Advisory Group will help guide the initiative, with First Nations voices and lived experience shaping cultural education, reconciliation and inclusion efforts across WA sport.
Jasmine Cappellucci, True Sport Manager at SportWest said the program was developed in response to growing demand from sporting organisations for practical and consistent guidance.
“Creating inclusive sporting environments takes clear intent, strong leadership, and ongoing education. These resources are designed to build understanding and provide WA-specific tools and guidance, supporting sporting organisations on their journey towards reconciliation and helping create safer, more welcoming environments for First Nations peoples across Western Australia.”
Alongside education resources, the initiative will support policy development and reconciliation work, including a sector-wide approach to racial and cultural vilification and assistance for organisations developing Reconciliation Action Plans.
SportWest CEO Troy Kirkham said the initiative was about driving lasting change across the sporting landscape.
"As the peak body, we have a responsibility to support and guide our sporting organisations to deliver positive, respectful experiences for everyone," he said. "The True Sport Cultural Education Initiative is a long-term commitment, not a one-off project, to embed respect, education and anti-racism into the fabric of WA sport for future generations."
